LIP love AUGMENTATION OPTIONS

BY ANNETTE BROOKS

Have you been thinking about perfecting your pout? Show your lips a little love this February by getting a lip augmentation. Whether you want to restore volume lost due to aging, fi ll in wrinkles, get a more defi ned lip line, correct asymmetry, or simply want to rock the in-vogue look of full, luscious lips, you have a few treatment options to consider. Some last a few months up to a year, while others are more permanent.

Dermal Fillers

The most popular lip augmentation method is injectable hyaluronic acid dermal fi llers. Fillers specially designed for the lips, such as Juvederm Volbella and Restylane Kyss, create lips that are softer and feel more natural and results generally last up to a year. In addition to adding volume, they can reduce the appearance of vertical perioral (smoker’s) lines and create upturned corners of the mouth.

Fat Transfer

We’re much better these days at predictably transferring fat from elsewhere in the body to a new location to augment an area, including the lips. Performed in-office under local anesthesia, a small amount of fat is harvested from your abdomen via liposuction, purified, and then injected into your lips. Results can last up to fi ve years and sometimes longer. Ask your provider to compare the pros and cons of fat transfer to dermal fi llers and lip implants.

Lip Flip

The lip fl ip involves injecting a few units of Botox above the upper lip line near the cupid’s bow to subtly create a more defi ned upper lip and smoothing of vertical lines. If you have a gummy smile, it may also reduce the amount of gum that shows when you smile.

Lip Implants

If you’ve tried fillers and like the results but are ready for something more permanent, explore the option of lip implants. Modern lip implants, which are available in different lengths and circumferences and tapered at the ends, have solved issues sometimes seen with older implant versions, such as tissue tethering. During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will help you determine what size of implant will best meet your needs, explain the in-office procedure, and provide after-care and recovery instructions to follow as healing occurs.

Lip Lift

Are you unhappy with the shape of your upper lip and want a more prominent cupid’s bow? A lip lift may be the ideal answer. During the in-office procedure, your plastic surgeon will remove excess skin between your nose and upper lip (or the corners of your mouth) to pull up your lips. Results are permanent.

The right lip procedure depends on your lip shape, size, and goals. Talk with your aesthetician or plastic surgeon about which treatments can best meet your needs, and ask them to compare and contrast options so you can make an informed decision.

Taking Care Of Those Who Took Care Of You

BY PETE ALFANO

Growing up, we count on our parents for food, shelter, guidance, and understanding. Even as adults with children of our own, we often continue to rely on them. But when our parents reach the autumn of their life, it is time to return the favor and make sure their financial status and physical well-being are secure.

Talking to aging parents about financial matters can be difficult. Parents can be secretive, even with their own children, especially if money is in short supply. They may also be sensitive to any discussion centered on their eventual death.

Nonetheless, it is the responsibility of adult children to have an overview of their parent’s financial status and to know whether they have enough to live comfortably in retirement. In addition to finances, it is vital to determine if they have a will and whether the surviving parent will have power of attorney and can execute a living will. If only one parent is surviving, who has been designated as executor of the estate once they pass?

Assure your parents that you are not planning for their death but want to ensure they are financially solvent as they age. Here is some information you need to help your parents plan their future.

If your parents own their home, are they still making mortgage payments, or do they have a HELOC (home equity line of credit? What are the monthly payments? Do they have an HOA, and if so, what are those monthly payments? How much do they pay in property taxes, have they applied for a senior exemption, and where is the deed to their property? Determine the average annual cost of maintaining the home, including utility bills, repairs, and other potential expenses such as pool maintenance and purchasing new appliances. If they have credit cards with balances, what are the monthly payments? Are their cars in good running order, and do they still need two vehicles? Have a list of all the service providers and the account numbers.

Are your parents collecting Social Security? How much do they receive monthly? Do they have a pension or a retirement fund such as a 401k, and who manages it? Some seniors continue to work past retirement age as a necessity and may have a part-time job for extra spending money. What is their salary? And don’t forget about their bank account and how much cash they can access quickly. Ask your parents for the account numbers for their bank accounts, retirement portfolio, and their credit cards.

Are your parents on Medicare yet? If so, do they have an all-in-one Medicare Advantage plan issued by private companies, or do they have regular Medicare? It is essential to enhance regular Medicare with a supplemental plan issued by a private company that covers what Medicare doesn’t. That also means having a separate dental, vision, and pharmacy plan issued by private companies. Just as important is whether your parents have long-term care insurance. Although premiums are high, this insurance covers in-home and nursing home care without emptying their savings or retirement fund.

Are your parents planning to live their senior years in their own home? Are they planning to move into an assisted living or independent living facility? Will they need a nursing home? Or are you planning for your parent(s) to move in with you and your family? What will that arrangement mean to you financially, and consider if it will require moving into a bigger house? The answers to all these questions will enable you and your parents to have a plan in place for their golden years.